Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) and the Ketogenic Diet Intervention

A good friend and co-worker of mine and I have been recently discussing her struggle with PCOS and the research I have collected to show the positive effects being in ketosis has on the human body for those women battling PCOS. In light of our conversations, I found this would be a great opportunity to share this with other women who could benefit from having this knowledge!

A pilot study conducted in 2005 by John C Mavropoulos, William S Yancy, Juanita Hepburn, and Eric C Westman instructed 5 females who passed a screening test based on diagnosis of having PCOS, chronic anovulation (missing or irregular menses) and a BMI greater than 27 kg/m2. In summary, in this pilot study, LCKD was followed consisting of the following parameters:

fewer than 20 grams of carbohydrate per day (as tolerated throughout the 6-month study period)

prepared and fresh cheeses (up to 4 and 2 ounces per day, respectively)

unlimited eggs

salad vegetables (2 cupfuls per day)

low carbohydrate vegetables (1 cupful per day)

strongly encouraged to drink at least six 8-ounce glasses of permitted fluids per day

encouraged to take one multivitamin per day

encouraged to exercise at least three times per week on their own, although this was not mandatory

discouraged to drink caffeine and alcohol

This pilot study showed that adherence to a LCKD led to improvement in body weight, percent free testosterone, LH/FSH ratio (associated with fertility), fasting serum insulin, and other symptoms in women diagnosed with PCOS over a six-month period.

In “KETO Clarity” by Jimmy Moore and Eric Westman, MD, the effects of a ketogenic diet on PCOS is again highly acknowledged. Referring to the same study referenced above, women had an average weight loss of 12% (i.e. decrease from 180 lbs to 159 lbs!) In fact, it was also reported that 2 of the 5 women actually became pregnant DURING the study despite previous infertility issues. ASTOUNDING!! In conjunction with a low-carb, high fat ketogenic diet (LCKD) and regular exercise, Pruvit’s exogenous ketones as part of the Ketone Operating System put the body in ketosis in under 59 minutes to reap the benefits even quicker (see link below)!